If you’ve been too consumed with beaches and bonfires to pay attention to the news this week, you’ve likely missed what’s going on in Egypt. With a little help from our research team, CengageBrain will keep you in the know on the world news so you can stay informed.

Curfew enacted; shuts down capital

Author for theNewYorkTimes.comblog The Lede, Robert Mackey,reports in his August 16, 2013, post “Aug. 16 Updates on Protests in Egypt” that a forceful curfew on Friday, August 16, left the streets of the capital, which are normally packed with a vibrant crowd, “quiet after sunset.” Nearly 640 people were killed after two sit-ins were violently broken up by security forces this past Wednesday. Another 173 were killed on Friday during violent clashes of supporters for the recently ousted president, Mohamed Morsi.

Timeline of Egypt protests and violence

It’s often difficult to keep up with world news when you’re constantly rushing off to class or skipping over the news on your Twitter feed to figure out where to go that night. Here’s a brief timeline of what has happened in Egypt in the past months, as reported in the August 17, 2013, post “Timeline: Key events in Egypt over two years of turmoil and transition” by The Associated Press, and put into “laymen’s” terms by yours truly.

February 11, 2011—Hosni Mubarak steps down as president, after 30 years of rule and months of demonstrations on behalf of the Egyptians who want parliament dissolved and the constitution suspended.

May 23 and 24, 2012—After the first round of presidential elections in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi and Ahmed Shafiq (who was the last prime minister under Mubarak) are the top runners and another election is scheduled.

June 16 and 17, 2012—Morsi wins with just under 52% of the vote and takes office on June 30, 2012.

November 22, 2012—Morsi “unilaterally decrees greater powers for himself, giving his decisions immunity from judicial review and barring the courts from dissolving the constituent assembly and the upper house of parliament. The move sparks days of protests.” (There is no constitution at this point as it was being re-written. Islamists in the constituent assembly “rush to complete the draft.”)

December 4, 2012—Protestors storm the presidential palace demanding the cancellation of Morsi’s referendum and demand a new constitution be written. At least 10 are killed the next day in street battles.

Dec. 15-22, 2012—Egyptians approve the new constitution, though voter turnout is low.

January 25, 2013—Protests against Morsi on the two-year anniversary of the beginning of the revolt against Mubarak send hundreds of thousands in the streets; clashes erupt.

February-June, 2013—Attacks between Christians and Muslims in religious sites sees much violence and death across Egypt.

July 1, 2013—Demonstrations continue; Morsi is given a demand by the Egyptian military to resolve the citizens’ disputes or it will impose its own solution.

July 3, 2013—Morsi has been forcefully removed by the military and is replaced by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court under the new presidential elections. Muslim Brotherhood leaders have been arrested, and thousands of supporters of Morsi participate in mass sit-ins in Cairo’s streets.

July 5, 2013—As Adly Mansour is sworn in as Egypt’s interim president, clashes between pro- and anti-Morsi groups in Cairo and Alexandria leave at least 36 dead.

July 8-August 14, 2013—Hundreds of both pro- and anti-Morsi supporters and police are killed in disputes between civilians and riot police. U.S. senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, and a number of other international envoys, have visited Egypt to help resolve the crisis.

August 17, 2013—Egyptian authorities are considering disbanding the Muslim Brotherhood, which Morsi was affiliated with, after heavy gunfire rains throughout Cairo and tens of thousands of “supporters clash with armed vigilantes” in the street battles the day before.

How you can stay informed

With the situation changing everyday, you’ll want to stay connected to the news to keep yourself updated about what’s happening in the world around you. Here are some options that fit with our busy lives:

International news can be added to your Google News feed to make it easier to keep up with. Specifically add “Egypt” to your home page and you’ll be instantly updated as there are developments.

The ShortFormBlog is an easy way to quick way to get the news via Facebook while you’re catching up on the latest news from your friends.

Engage in actual conversation—I know! Very forward-thinking—but it’s the best way to get others’ information without all of the distractions the Internet offers.